Artist: Snow Patrol

The Snow Patrol we meet on A Hundred Million Suns is a band facing the same dilemma that Coldplay met on 2008's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends; having conquered the world with a rousing, melancholy brand of MOR indie, where now? On the surface, A Hundred Million Suns seems to suggest, nowhere especially new: producer Jacknife Lee, who first worked with the band on 2003's Final Straw and went on to work with the likes of U2 and REM returns to the fold; and an opening brace of songs suggest that a successful formula--chiming guitars, gentle builds, and Gary Lightbody's quavering, tremulous vocal--persists. Still, "Take Back The City", a windswept, electronic-tinged rocker, rather does for this band what "Dakota" did for Stereophonics, proving that a spot of sleek, synthetic motorik is not beyond their grasp, and there's a new, bright optimism to Lightbody's lyrics that sets the likes of "The Planets Bend Between Us" in light relief to some of Snow Patrol's earlier work. If you want experiment, though, you'll have to wait until the closing "The Lightning Strike", a 16-minute track in three parts that investigates Phillip Glass-style minimalism an...
10/10 to Amazon, 2008-12-07
The review say it all; a really great Album. However, what I would like to say is well done Amazon. I for one hate the pretentious rubbish written about Apple and in particular their hateful I-Tunes. I don't have an iPOD although respect their design. I have a Zen which I love and now my wife and both the kids have one too. Amazon have opened up the market and with these £3.00 downloads, only those with anal retention are still going to regularly illegally download. At last someone has realised that charging £8-£10 for a download is taking the rip. If you keep the downloads down to a reasonable price then we will pay. Don't let us down Amazon!

Artist: Leona Lewis

I have this at last ! YAY ! essential purchase!, 2009-01-04
Yay! This arrived this morning. I had previously attempted to get Leona Lewis's 'spirit' but satanic rituals were not powerful enough to cope with a 'deluxe edition' spirit found in a woman who has coped with being so hideous.

Artist: P!nk

Whilst easily one of the most distinctive female pop vocalists of the last ten years, with her hot-headed persona and torching rock vocals barrelling through empowered songs both infectious and tender, P!nk did step back into line somewhat for more one-size-fits-all last album I'm Not Dead. Her voice aside, there was little pull her apart from her peers or to suggest she'd ever again go on to release anything as definitive as her breakthrough album M!ssundaztood. But whether driven by young pretenders like Katy Perry making a grab for her crown or by that perennial emotional motivator--break-up (she was divorced between albums)--Funhouse utterly redeems P!nk. From the front cover through most tracks on the record she stokes the wild-child inside herself that made her famous in the first place, but in most examples there is also evidence of a fostering maturity, whether in the crystal beauty and depth of ballads "Glitter In the Air" or "I Don't Believe You" or the firm-handed command of more built-up tunes like the Red Hot Chili Peppers vs. Joan Jett coarseness of "Sober" or sassy rocker "Boring" that somewhat improbably combines The Dandy Warhols' "Horse Pills"...
Brilliant CD, 2009-01-04
I purchased this album as a gift for my daughter for Christmas, and listened to it to make sure the CD played ok.
I have to say that I loved it straight away and is one of the best albums I have heard in a while.
I love it especially turned up really loud whilst doing the ironing, I must now listen to other Pink Albums....

Artist: Beyonce

The latest outing from former Destiny's Child starlet Beyonce is an intentionally schizophrenic affair. Splitting herself into two separate characters--herself and alter ego Sasha Fierce--is the artist's way of presenting what she obviously sees as an artistic duality. The first set, I Am... is intended give a glimpse beneath the surface of her usual R&B-pop persona. Featuring recent single "If I Was a Boy," the soaring "Halo", and ballads like "Disappear", and "Ave Maria", it seems her "real" self is way more saccharine than the lady that brought us sassy pop moments like "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy". That side of her personality comes rushing back out on Sasha Fierce, a more rousing collection that kicks off with the infectious handclaps of "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", ventures into Euro-dance territory with "Radio" and gets surprisingly risque with the voyeuristic "Video Phone". Which part of the album you enjoy most will depend on your musical proclivities, But the new, bifurcated Beyonce ensures there's enough diversity to satisfy the most demanding pop aficionado. --Danny McKenna
Absolutely fantastic!!, 2009-01-01
This is an absolutely sensational album in my opinion-I have never been a massive Beyonce fan and whilst I enjoyed Bday-it is not even in the same league as this collection.

The first CD is mainly made up of great ballads and mid-tempo songs:
1.If I Were A Boy-great pop song, justifiably high-charting! And her performance of it on X-factor was outstanding. 10/10
2.Halo-Repetetive chorus makes this song addictive and powerful. 10/10
3.Disappear-Great lower range showcased here. 8/10
4.Broken-Hearted Girl-Love the synth effects on this fantastic ballad. 9/10
5.Ave Maria-Verging on operatic, beautiful! 9/10
6.Smash Into You-A hypnotic song, brilliant again! 9/10
7.Satellites-In my opinion the weakest song on this CD, not bad though. 7/10
8.That's Why You're Beautiful-The powerful guitars make this song great. 8/10

The second CD is much more uptempo, although that's not to say there isn't a place for ballads here.
1.Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)-Growling Beyonce is back! This takes a second listen to get into it. 8/10
2.Radio-Slightly strained vocals, but I do like the song. 8/10
3.Diva-Not my kinda song really-tuneless. 5/10
4.Sweet Dreams-Love this song. 9/10
5.Video Phone-Very strange premise, not my favourite. 7/10
6.Hello-This is probably my favourite song on both CDs, a classy uptempo ballad. 10/10
7.Ego-This is such a different sound, with its blaring trumpets and it works. 9/10
8.Scared Of Lonely-The only song here that is a bit forgettable, not bad though. 7/10

If you want a representative sample listen to the two lead singles, plus Hello, Diva and Halo.

Artist: The Killers

Success came fast for The Killers, maybe too fast. The impossibly hooky “Mr Brightside” from their debut, coupled with faultless synth anthem “Somebody Told Me”, turned them into the most ubiquitous band in the world overnight and had them batting away Glastonbury headline offers before the Hot Fuss campaign was even over. Sam's Town followed all too quickly, trying to stylistically catch up with their status as stadium rock giants in waiting, but like their debut was really only carried by a couple of strong singles. Which would make this the perfect--or necessary--time to deliver the masterpiece the world expects. By shamelessly cherry-plundering the number 1 acts of the 80s not only have they managed to dramatically shunt the concept of filler from the record, but every track acts like it's performing last on Top Of The Pops circa 1987. Result. From the sparkling Pet Shop Boys obedience of “Human” to the massive Human League via Starship chorus of “Spaceman”, the Paul Simon’s Graceland as done by Talking Heads on “This Is Your Life” to the bang-on Cure desolation of “Goodnight, Tra...
How The Killers Have Grown, 2009-01-04
The first thing I will say about this album is that you have to give it 3 or 4 listens before you can really appreciate how good it is. When I first listened to it I thought I might be disapointed as none of the tracks seemed to stand out to me as they had done instantly on Hot Fuss and Sam's Town.

However after hearing it a few times I can say that this is without a doubt The Killers best album yet - and that is saying something.
What is new in this album is that a lot of the songs are written about the personal lives of members of the band. For example "A Dustland Fairytale" which tells the story of how Brandon Flowers' parent's met and his mother's battle with cancer.

This makes the album very full of emotion which is something that The Killers havn't really done before, and they have pulled it off brilliantly. The Singles "Human" and "Spaceman" are both very good tracks, more in the style of earlier Killers work. But the true beauty of this album is, as I said, in the slower, more emotional tracks. My personal favorite is probably "A Dustland Fairytale". I also really like "The World We Live In" and "I Can't Stay".

If you are a fan of the Killers then no doubt you will already have bought this album. If not then I would strongly recommend it as there is something on here for everyone.

One Final Point: The Track "Goodnight, Travel Well" is truly breathtaking. It was written about the death of Dave Keunig's mother and it really captures the emotions of anyone who has lost a loved one. The Album is worth it just to hear this song. You won't regret getting this Album.

Artist: Seal

Soul is a confusing beast. We know Seal has a great voice and can easily imagine him being covering golden oldies with aplomb. Yet this collection of soul favourites is frustratingly patchy. Opener "A Change Is Gonna Come" is impassioned and beautifully-arranged (the album is helmed by David Foster of Celebrity Duets fame, who has made sure it sounds fresh and compelling), and even though it could never compare to Sam Cooke's original, it's ultimately a successful reworking. Seal applies his sandpapery tones to James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World", Al Green's "Here I Am" and "I'm Still in Love With You", and Ben E King's "Stand By Me"--all of them with decent results. Decent, yet hardly overwhelming. And here's where the confusion kicks in: why cover a bunch of songs that have already been done to death? Christmas being right around the corner is perhaps one good reason in commercial terms. But when you listen to the singer transform less well-trodden territory like Deniece Williams' "Free" or Ann Peeble's "I Can't Stand the Rain", its hard not to feel this play-it-safe option--while undoubtedly a wonderful Xmas gift--is also a lost creative opportunity. ...
Knock Out!, 2009-01-04
I heard some tracks on Steve Wright and then again in HMV a day later. Knock on Wood is just knock out! I Can't Stand The Rain is fantastic, in fact no track is weak they are all brilliant, so buy it guys!!!